Cellulose-based graft copolymers prepared by simplified electrochemically mediated ATRP

Abstract

Brush-shaped block copolymer with a dual hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid)-block-poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) acrylate) (PAA-b-POEGA) arms was synthesized for the first time via a simplified electrochemically mediated ATRP (seATRP) under both constant potential electrolysis and constant current electrolysis conditions, utilizing only 30 ppm of catalyst complex. The polymerization conditions were optimized to provide fast reactions while employing low catalyst concentrations and preparation of cellulose-based brush-like copolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. The results from proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectral studies support the formation of cellulose-based graft (co)polymers. It is expected that these new polymer brushes may find application as pH- and thermo-sensitive drug delivery systems.

Keywords

• Polymer synthesis, molecular e
• cellulose-based graft polymers
• seATRP